HRC CONDEMNS ANTI-EQUALITY EXTREMIST GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT AND ATTORNEY GENERAL KEN PAXTON FOR PUTTING THE WELL-BEING OF TRANSGENDER YOUTH AT RISK: “Governor Abbott’s actions are unconscionable. The Paxton opinion is poorly researched, poorly reasoned -- and entirely political. While it is not legally binding, it is discriminatory and dangerous, and will have real-life consequences for trans kids and their families,” said HRC Texas State Director Rebecca Marques (@_RebeccaMarques, she/her). “Abbott’s order is a shameful attempt to score political points by attacking Texas’s transgender youth – who are, again and again, the Governor’s target -- in an attempt to one-up and outdo other radical anti-equality politicians by attacking best practice, age-appropriate, medically-necessary care that in many cases is lifesaving. ” More from HRC, USA Today, BuzzFeed and AP News.

HONORING NAOMIE SKINNER, TRANS WOMAN WHO LIVED “A FABULOUS LIFE”: “At the age of 25, Naomie had her entire life ahead of her. Her death is a reminder of the epidemic of violence against Black transgender women. Without action, this epidemic will continue to claim the lives of transgender and gender non-conforming people when their lives are just starting out,” said HRC Director of Community Engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative Tori Cooper (@MsToriCooper1, she/her). “Naomie’s life mattered, and we must continue the fight to protect the lives of not just members of the trans and LGBTQ+ community, but all of us.” More from HRC.

HRC ANNOUNCES HONOREES FOR VISIBILITY AWARD AT UPCOMING NASHVILLE DINNER: This weekend, HRC will honor Dr. Brian Marshall with the Equality Award and Cody Alan with the Visibility Award at HRC’s Nashville Dinner, which will also feature Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, Shea Diamond, Dana Goldberg and Kelsea Ballerini. More from HRC.

ICYMI -- HRC AND WPP RAISE THE LGBTQ+ ‘REALITY FLAG’: What we know to be inalienable and nonnegotiable rights in our country are just not that for many folks in the LGBTQ+ community–along with other marginalized groups. The Human Rights Campaign just launched a new campaign to shed light on this inequity and garner support to help pass the Equality Act. More from The Drum.

LAW PROFESSOR, LGBTQ+ RIGHTS ADVOCATE JOE TOM EASLEY DIES AT 81: More from Washington Blade.

📚 HRC FOUNDATION’S WELCOMING SCHOOLS PROGRAM SUPPORT TRANS YOUTH WITH JAZZ & FRIENDS NATIONAL DAY OF SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY READINGS: Over 14,000 students, educators and parents are expected to participate in more than 200 readings across the U.S. today. “During these unprecedented times, these readings are a powerful tool for educators, parents and anyone looking to spread love and promote acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community,” said HRC Welcoming Schools Director Cheryl Greene (@cgreene2027, she/her). More from HRC.

📍 IN THE STATES

‘EXTREME FEAR MONGERING’: GREG ABBOTT’S PUSH TO INVESTIGATE FAMILIES IS ONLY THE LATEST IN THE GOP’S ANTI-TRANS BLITZ: Among many other LGBTQ+ attacks in the state of Texas, George Abbott’s push to look deeply into the families and lives of LGBTQ+ people is one of the worst of all. More from Rolling Stone.

ALABAMA LAWMAKERS ADVANCE TRANSGENDER STUDENTS BATHROOM BAN: The Alabama House of Representatives has voted 74-24 on a bill that would force transgender youth to utilize school restrooms and locker rooms that match the sex on their birth certificate. LGBTQ+ advocates state that the bill is a direct attack on transgender youth and a tool for proponents to gain political points. This bill will now move to the Alabama State Senate. More from NBC News and AP.

KENTUCKY’S FIRST EVER OUT LGBTQ+ STATE REPRESENTATIVE ELECTED: House District 42, which encompasses the cities of Louisville and Shively, just elected the first out LGBTQ+ person to the Kentucky House of Representatives–Keturah Herron. Herron is now one of only 25 out LGBTQ+ Black state legislators in the United States. More from Washington Blade.

OPENLY GAY GOVERNOR CRITICIZES WAVE OF ANTI-LGBTQ+ LEGISLATION AS ‘UN-AMERICAN’: More from People.

TRANS WOMAN GRANTED $1.5 MILLION AFTER POLICE CALLED HER SLURS & ARRESTED HER FOR JAYWALKING: More from LGBTQNation.

📺 GET CULTURED

4 BRILLIANT, BOUNDARY-BREAKING HISTORICAL TRANS ICONS I WISH I’D LEARNED ABOUT IN SCHOOL: Catalina de Erauso, Marsha P Johnson, and Roberta Cowell are among trans icons being recognized as important trans figures that have been left out of textbooks in schools for far too long. More from PinkNews.

OLYMPIC MOM KELLY RIPPON SHARES TIPS ON HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR LGBTQ+ CHILD IN COMPETITIVE SPORTS: More from Parents.com.

CARIBBEAN EQUALITY PROJECT EXHIBITION SALUTES LGBTQ+ IMMIGRANTS: More from Gay City News.

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